A superb century from Ricky Ponting rescued Tasmania from disaster on day one of the Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales at Bellerive.

The former Australian captain went to stumps unbeaten on 138, having cracked 20 fours and a six, his partnership with Jason Krejza taking the Tigers from a precarious 6 for 132 to a credible 6 for 310.

The pair put on 178 with Krejza defying the Blues' international-strength attack for more than three hours for his 71.

Ponting clipped Blues paceman Trent Copeland for four to bring up his 79th first-class ton, showing no signs of the nervous 90s by moving from 91 to 97 with a monster six off leg-spinner Adam Zampa (0 for 52).

Ponting might have quit international cricket but the 38-year-old has 493 runs at the amazing average of 164.33 in five matches this Shield season.

Krejza proved the perfect foil, hitting eight fours and a six in his 152-ball knock, although he was bowled on a Copeland no-ball when he was 41.

The Tigers collapsed after openers Mark Cosgrove (36) and Ben Dunk (13) had put on 53 for the opening wicket.

Returning paceman Josh Hazlewood was the chief destroyer early with 3 for 64, including the wickets of Cosgrove and Alex Doolan (4) in the same over to reduce the home side to 2 for 57.

Tasmania lost 3 for 4 in 10 balls to blow their good start with Dunk falling leg before to Chris Tremain (1 for 58) at 3 for 57.

They were 4 for 81 soon after lunch when Jonathan Wells was lbw to Copeland (2 for 74) for five and 5 for 101 when Tim Paine (10) chopped the former Test bowler on.

All-rounder Luke Butterworth looked to be joining Ponting's rescue mission with a quickfire 13 from just 15 balls but became Hazlewood's third scalp at 6 for 132.

Hazlewood's comeback to long-form cricket - following more than a month on the sidelines with a foot injury - will hearten selectors, who have endured a long fast-bowling injury list this summer.

The 22-year-old, who has played a single one-day international, was 12th man for the Perth Test against South Africa before breaking down and has a chance to press for Ashes selection in the Blues' four remaining Shield games.